him and Phil Garner are tossed.The only fault I have with this is that Bonds doesn't have a season ending injury. I hate Garner, but I commend him for trying to stop this SOB from destroying the game.

Mercy!

05-17-2006, 12:41 AM

I don't understand why every team doesn't have a "Not in my park, you don't" mentality and decide in advance to walk Bonds every time he comes to the plate, unless it absolutely, positively looks like it might lead to a go-ahead run. Heck, even then.

Another thing. When he hits one of those come backers and refuses to even run to first base, wouldn't it be wonderful if the pitcher (or whoever caught the ball) just stood there holding it and refused to toss it to first until Barry started running?

LuvSox

05-17-2006, 01:18 AM

what Russ Springstein did was totally uncalled for. If you havent seen it, here's what happened.

First of all there is a history between the two. Barry homered off of him a few years ago. The next time they faced each other he beaned Bonds. Today he clearly was throwing at him. The 5th pitch looked to be intentially thrown at his head. As far as the arm gear half of the league wears that stuff not just Barry. Him standing on the plate is his choice. If he feels he is quick enough on the inside pitch and wants to insure the ability to get the outside pitch whats wrong with that. To the poster who said every team should just walk him thats just not intelligent baseball. Certain situations definately walk him. However not all situations, the risk of creating a huge innings isn't worth it. Pitch to him, if he hits a homer so be it but the odds are better that he'll fly or popout than homer.

Nellie_Fox

05-17-2006, 03:17 AM

As far as the arm gear half of the league wears that stuff not just Barry.If I'm not mistaken, the rule is that elbow pads can't be more than 10" long. His is way more than that, and he apparently gets away with it because of a "doctor's note." If his elbow is so bad that he has to cover his whole arm, then he should be on the DL. It's a load of crap. He's always worn that armor, hangs his elbow into the strike zone, then gets indignant if anyone comes anywhere near him.

To the poster who said every team should just walk him thats just not intelligent baseball. Certain situations definately walk him. However not all situations, the risk of creating a huge innings isn't worth it. Pitch to him, if he hits a homer so be it but the odds are better that he'll fly or popout than homer.He can't run. Put him on and let him clog the bases, plus having to run puts a strain on him.

SouthSide_HitMen

05-17-2006, 03:31 AM

5/17/06 - Bud Selig announces Russ Springer and Phil Garner have been banned for life for their actions during the 5/17/06 game in which Russ Springer threw at Barry Bonds twice, hitting him once on the shoulder.

Bud Selig had this to say

"Barry Bonds is one of the greatest players in history. He is one of the three players who saved baseball. Sosa, McGwire and Bonds deserve to be treated as three of the greatest players in the history of our game. Any player who:

Hits Bonds with a pitched, thrown or batted baseball (along with their manager)
Hits a ball toward Bonds which causes him to get injured
Hits a ball causing Bonds to run while on base which causes injury
Provides Bonds any steroids which are detectable under our sham drug testing planwill also be banned from baseball for life. I must protect the game of baseball and I will continue to insure that our greatest players like Barry Bonds receive the protection they deserve."

RealMenWearBlack

05-17-2006, 04:02 AM

The only fault I have with this is that Bonds doesn't have a season ending injury. I hate Garner, but I commend him for trying to stop this SOB from destroying the game.

Would this honestly ruin the game for you? I know a lot of people on these boards don't like Bonds, but I could care less what Bonds does as long as the Sox keep winning. Pujols and/or ARod are going to eventually pass Bonds anyway if they stay healthy and Bonds isn't even breaking the record.

Mercy!

05-17-2006, 05:07 AM

... To the poster who said every team should just walk him thats just not intelligent baseball....
Uh, aren't you the poster that refers to Frank Thomas as the Skirt? 'nuff said.

Trav

05-17-2006, 07:07 AM

If Bonds or any player stood and watched their home run after hitting one on me, the next pitch would be in his ear. SoSo would have gotten it for his jumps. Manny Ramerez would get it for his batting gloves act. This list goes on and it starts with guys like Bonds showing up the pitcher.

soxinem1

05-17-2006, 08:26 AM

As much as I dislike Barry, and even advocate not pitching to him, Springer made it look too obvious like he was trying to hit him. Judging who his manager is, there was no suprise with the obvious intent displayed by the Astros.

On the other hand, considering Springer is a journeyman of sorts, Barry probably paid him off so people would sympathize with his sorry self.

getonbckthr

05-17-2006, 09:27 AM

If Bonds or any player stood and watched their home run after hitting one on me, the next pitch would be in his ear. SoSo would have gotten it for his jumps. Manny Ramerez would get it for his batting gloves act. This list goes on and it starts with guys like Bonds showing up the pitcher.
Unfortunately today in sports many people feel the sport isn't good enough. They feel it needs more of an "entertainment value." You mentioned Sosa and Manny however you look at Chad Johnson and TO in the NFL, Vince Carter "starting his motorcycle" on an NBA court, hell you have a bowler named Pete Weber who thinks he is a pro wrestler going around telling his opponents to "suck it" including a crotch chop and flexing his muscle while pointing to himself starting a "PDW, PDW,PDW" chant with the letters representing his initials. Basically the only sport I can honestly say is free of this "self promoting" behavior is the NHL. I will admit however that I don't watch as much hockey as I used to so maybe even these "celebrations" are visible there as well. Even the PGA has it with Tigers creeping then exploding fist after each big putt he hits.

getonbckthr

05-17-2006, 09:37 AM

Uh, aren't you the poster that refers to Frank Thomas as the Skirt? 'nuff said. I will post my response as defending myself and hope this doesn't result in a hijack. My feelings of dislike towards Frank have nothing to do with his on-field career. Personally I appreciate and respect all he has done on the field for this organization. However I do not respect or appreciate his piss-poor attitude towards the organization off the field. He bitched and moaned about when the Sox brought up the "diminshed skills" clause that was in the contract he signed. When the franchise chose to do what was best for the organization and not the man, he again bitched and moaned showing selfishness. You and other people got mad when I called him the "Big Skirt" and I can understand why. On-field one of the best baseball players of all time, off-field one of the worst. Also I am a White Sox fan. By way of being a Sox fan I supported Frank Thomas, now that he isn't on the team I support, and he chose to bash the team I support that is why I no longer support Frank Thomas.

edit: I decided part of the post was a little inappropriate.

ode to veeck

05-17-2006, 09:54 AM

I will post my response ... <much useless drivel> ... However the more I think about I shouldn't have reffered to him as the "Big Skirt" but as the "Big Bitch" ... <more useless drivel>

You're getting wayyy beyond no credibility, you're now well into negative credibility with the magnitude climing steadily

Frater Perdurabo

05-17-2006, 10:00 AM

If it was a hitter chasing a record, of course you challenge him. Throw inside to back him off the plate. Walk him if the situation calls for it. But most of the time, especially with the bases empty, have your pitcher try his best to strike him out.

But in this case, if I'm an opposing manager, I have my pitchers walk or bean Bonds at every plate appearance. If enough managers did this, eventually he would just retire out of sheer frustration. Would Selig really fine and suspend every single NL pitcher and NL manager? Of course not. The public would revolt. Attendance would plummet.

jenn2080

05-17-2006, 11:26 AM

whatever who cares about bonds. the guy is a jerk and if didnt hover the plate he would not get hit.

SOXPHILE

05-17-2006, 11:28 AM

I got no problem with it. Springstein now joins that Phillies pitcher as my favorite player in baseball. GO AWAY BARRY YOU LYING, CHEATING, FRAUD.

D. TODD

05-17-2006, 11:46 AM

Agreed.

Admittedly I didn't see this yet, but I have no problem with it. You need to see it. He was thrown at repeatidly. Springer should get multiple suspensions for each intentional attempt. One behind, one up off the knob of the bat, and finally one at the shoulder. Suspension length times 3 at least. Someone from the 'strohs will get buried tonight as well thanks to Springer.

I just want consistency in suspensions, if this were a Sox player thrown at repeatidly the league better take appropriate action. On second thought the first one is usually just a warning so a regular suspension may suffice, but a strong punishment is in order. Liking or disliking a player should not play a role in suspensions given .

viagracat

05-17-2006, 12:00 PM

Wow, the vitriol against Bonds on this board...I certainly agree Bonds is a jerk, but I never would want to see anybody get hurt under any circumstances. Especially on purpose.

Bonds' negative legacy will be punishment enough, and it will be forever. Let it go.

BackNBlack

05-17-2006, 05:13 PM

I saw it live on ESPN and to me Barry Bonds gets an applaud for staying professional. Not once did he say anything, he even picked up one of the balls for the catcher that was way behind him.Barry didn't hang over the plate either.I think it was embarrassing for baseball that a pitcher could throw that many times at someone with disregard. The freaking score was like Giants 11 to Stros 3, so what was the point at hitting Barry.

maurice

05-17-2006, 06:41 PM

Hitting a batter intentionally used to be a routine occurrence in MLB. It hurts like hell but doesn't usually result in an injury. True professonals are grateful for the free pass.

Bonds is begging for a beaning. If he wants to act professionally, Bonds ought to act like a professional baseball player--stop staring at long fly balls and start running out ground balls.

mbwhitesox

05-17-2006, 07:15 PM

First off, let me say I wouldn't want to see ANYONE ever get seriously hurt by getting hit or beaned by a baseball.

That being said, Bonds is a jerk, a cheater and a liar. NO ONE likes this guy. He's just not a good person. He doesn't make any effort to be even somewhat likeable. I don't feel the slightest bit of sympathy for him and I applaud Russ Springer for treating Bonds like the garbage he is.

Jjav829

05-17-2006, 10:44 PM

I saw it live on ESPN and to me Barry Bonds gets an applaud for staying professional. Not once did he say anything, he even picked up one of the balls for the catcher that was way behind him.Barry didn't hang over the plate either.I think it was embarrassing for baseball that a pitcher could throw that many times at someone with disregard. The freaking score was like Giants 11 to Stros 3, so what was the point at hitting Barry.
Barry Bonds doesn't deserve applause for anything. The only reason this ******* should ever be cheered is if he were to retire tonight.

Trav

05-18-2006, 07:21 AM

You need to see it. He was thrown at repeatidly. Springer should get multiple suspensions for each intentional attempt. One behind, one up off the knob of the bat, and finally one at the shoulder. Suspension length times 3 at least. Someone from the 'strohs will get buried tonight as well thanks to Springer.

I just want consistency in suspensions, if this were a Sox player thrown at repeatidly the league better take appropriate action. On second thought the first one is usually just a warning so a regular suspension may suffice, but a strong punishment is in order. Liking or disliking a player should not play a role in suspensions given .

That pitch behind him was a slider. How often do guys throw off speed stuff to make a point? I think Springer's game plan on how to pitch to the jerk is to pound him inside. That's what he did. I doubt he was too worried about hitting him and good on him.

Frontman

05-18-2006, 12:00 PM

As much as I dislike Barry, and even advocate not pitching to him, Springer made it look too obvious like he was trying to hit him. Judging who his manager is, there was no suprise with the obvious intent displayed by the Astros.

When I heard it was an Astros pitcher who hit Bonds, my initial response was "Oh, Roger Clemens is pitching again?"

Honestly, I'm glad Springer made it obvious. I'm glad someone finally beaned his sorry rear. He looks down on other ballplayers? I'm glad a pitcher stood up and gave him one good just to get the point across that why waste my arm on 4 pitches when I can put you on with one good one?

And yeah, you can wear a 10" protective elbow pad. Bonds, once again, gets a HUGE amount of exceptions to the rules because that's what they do with Barry.

Of course, I would never want to see anyone's career ended by an injury. I've said it in anger that one good whack across that knee could end all of this malarky, but that really isn't right to say. That just isn't what sports is supposed to be about. But, there was a time where pitchers could plunk a batter without all this "Oh no! Why? This is terrible!" We should get back to this being a game, and that's the problem with the whole Bonds thing.

Bonds has turned baseball into a freak show. For Pete's sake, ESPN will interrupt programming just to cover his at-bat! He can't run on a base hit. Do people honestly think his teammates love this guy? That he gets "Good job not running that one out, Barry!" gets back into the dugout? The man doesn't even sit on the bench with his teammates, he heads into the lockerroom. Baseball, while it has quite a bit of personal achievement to be good at it (hitting a fastball is a one on one competition, pitcher versus batter; with the catcher guiding the pitcher. Only if the ball is put in play do the rest of the team have to react) but its a team sport. Look at footage from the post season last year. Where were most of the Sox when Pods hit the game winning shot in game 2 of the WS? Up on the railing, living and dying on each pitch just like Scott was in the batter's box. Even Frank was up along the rail, when the team took the field in the 9th, game 4.

My point is, BONDS DOESN'T DO THAT. HE DOES NOT CARE FOR THE TEAM ASPECT OF THE GAME. As far as I'm concerned, he doesn't count as a baseball player. He's a freak show working to take second at a record. If the past 3 weeks are any indication, there is no way this man will catch Hank Aaron; how could the Giants keep the act up for him to get it? Sacrifice two or three more seasons, with having Bonds not able to perform? For that fact that the odds are very much stacked against him catching Aaron, I'm glad.

I'm just thrilled there's a chance that Pujols can pass Bonds as a single season homer king if he keeps on pace. Talk about stealing the man's thunder.